NAB Undergoes Major Leadership Reshuffle as Two Senior Officials Swap Roles
Syed Ihtesham Qadir Shah appointed Deputy Chairman and Sohail Nasir named Prosecutor General Accountability for three-year terms effective October 11, following notifications issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on September 18.
ISLAMABAD, October 14, 2026 — The federal government has implemented a significant leadership reshuffle at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), with two senior officials exchanging key positions following the completion of their previous three-year tenures.
According to separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on September 18, 2026, Syed Ihtesham Qadir Shah, previously serving as Prosecutor General Accountability, has been appointed Deputy Chairman NAB, while outgoing Deputy Chairman Sohail Nasir has been appointed Prosecutor General Accountability.
Both appointments took effect on October 11, 2026, a day after the reported expiry of their previous terms on October 10.
The appointments represent an exchange of responsibilities between two senior officials who have served in NAB’s leadership since October 2023.
Notifications Issued Weeks Before Appointments
Official documents show that the federal government approved the appointments well before the expiration of the officers’ previous tenures.
The two notifications were issued on September 18, approximately three weeks before the new appointments became effective.
Sources familiar with the development said the decisions had been finalised in advance to ensure continuity in the bureau’s senior management.
The notification appointing Syed Ihtesham Qadir Shah as Deputy Chairman bears reference number F.1(10)/2026-A.I.
It states that the federal government, in consultation with the NAB Chairman, appointed Shah under Section 7 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
His appointment is for a non-extendable period of three years, beginning October 11, 2026.
A separate notification, numbered F.1(2)/2021-A.I., confirms Sohail Nasir’s appointment as Prosecutor General Accountability.
According to the notification, the federal government made the appointment on the recommendation of the NAB Chairman under Section 8(a)(i), read with Section 8(a)(iii), of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
Nasir has also been appointed for a three-year term effective October 11.
Senior Officials Exchange Responsibilities
The reshuffle is particularly notable because both officers have exchanged the positions they previously occupied rather than being replaced by officials from outside the institution.
Sohail Nasir served as Deputy Chairman NAB during the previous three-year period, while Syed Ihtesham Qadir Shah headed the bureau’s prosecution function as Prosecutor General Accountability.
Their earlier appointments were announced in October 2023.
The latest notifications effectively reverse that arrangement, assigning Shah responsibilities in the bureau’s senior administrative leadership while Nasir takes charge of its prosecution function.
Legal Framework and Responsibilities
The two appointments have been made under separate provisions of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, which establishes the legal framework for NAB’s senior leadership.
Under Section 7, the Deputy Chairman assists the NAB Chairman in carrying out official responsibilities and performs duties assigned by the Chairman.
The law also provides for the Deputy Chairman to act as Chairman when the office is vacant or the Chairman is absent or unable to perform official functions.
Section 8 governs the appointment and responsibilities of the Prosecutor General Accountability.
The Prosecutor General provides legal advice to the NAB Chairman, oversees prosecution-related matters and plays a central role in ensuring that cases are pursued in accordance with applicable law.
The legislation also provides for independent prosecutorial advice, consistent legal proceedings and protection of the lawful rights of individuals facing proceedings.
Unlike the Deputy Chairman’s expressly non-extendable three-year term, the legal framework provides for an extendable term for the Prosecutor General Accountability.
Ministry Issues Formal Appointment Orders
Both notifications were issued under the authority of the federal government and signed by Secretary Law and Justice Raja Naeem Akbar.
Copies were forwarded to the President’s Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, NAB Chairman, relevant federal authorities and other departments for official record and necessary action.
The notifications were also marked for publication in Part-I of the Gazette of Pakistan.
The Ministry of Law and Justice has separately listed both appointments on its official website, confirming the changes in NAB’s senior leadership.
With the appointments effective from October 11, Syed Ihtesham Qadir Shah assumes the position of Deputy Chairman NAB, while Sohail Nasir takes responsibility as Prosecutor General Accountability for their respective new terms.
